Korean J Occup Environ Med.  2007 Sep;19(3):223-230.

The Relations between Shiftwork and Sleep Disturbance in a University Hospital Nurses

• Lee JT
• Lee KJ
• Park JB
• Lee KW
• Jang KY

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Nurses working in a hospital operate in a special environment where patients require a 24-hour day service. In order to meet the need for manpower, nurses in the wards, ICU, and ER work in 3 shifts per day. This study was designed to evaluate their sleeping patterns and the factors that influence them.
METHODS
The subjects were 114 female nurses working at a University Hospital in Kyungi-do. To evaluate their sleeping pattern, a survey containing 11 questions was used. Their were differentiated into insomnia, sleep deprivation, daytime sleepiness, and snoring. Statistical analysis was conducted with independent t test, chi-square test and analysis of covariance.
RESULTS
A statistical difference was found between shiftworkers and nonshiftworkers, in terms of sleep initiation time (p<0.05). The occurrences of insomnia, sleep deprivation, daytime sleepiness and snoring differed between the two groups, but not significantly.
CONCLUSIONS
Of the numerous factors affecting sleeping patterns, shiftwork has the most deteriorative effect.

Keyword

Shiftwork; Sleep disorder

MeSH Terms

Female
Humans
Sleep Deprivation
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
Snoring